Jarrod Saltalamacchia watches another home run sail towards the fences

Theo Epstein, the general manager who was critical in piecing together both the 2004, and 2007 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship teams, has caught his fair share of flak over the years. Most of it has been centered around several pricey free agent signings made before his departure.

The short list: Carl Crawford, John Lackey, Bobby Jenks, and Mike Cameron.

Let's give credit where credit is due though.

On July 31, 2010, as the Red Sox slogged through an injury-plagued season, Theo Epstein made one of those deals that would not grab national headlines.

At that summer's trade deadline, Epstein sent three minor leaguers, none of whom are currently on a track to the majors, to the Texas Rangers in exchange for one previously top-rated catching prospect.

That prospect was named Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

For a franchise that spent years concerned about replacing former captain Jason Varitek behind the plate, Saltalamacchia has allowed the team to do what all great franchises do to maintain competitiveness. He's allowed Boston to re-load at catcher, rather than rebuild.

No waiting for a prospect to work his way through the minors, no series of failed, overpriced free-agent veterans who provide short-term relief without a long-term solution.

Saltalamacchia took over as a starter in 2011, endured one full season of acceptable ups-and-downs, and has now settled in as a solid defensive catcher with a nice bat as well.

Saltalamacchia is only 27 years old and he's entering his prime. In May he hit .308 with six home runs, 15 RBI, and an ops of .973. On the season he's at .278 with 11 home runs, 26 RBI and an ops of .906. Those aren't just "solid" numbers, they're All-Star caliber.

This is the player that Saltalamacchia was always supposed to be. What Epstein did when acquiring "Salty" was something that is done on Wall Street all the time. He "bought low."

The trade to acquire Saltalamacchia was the second time in his career that he had been a key part of a trade deadline deal. The first time was back in 2007. At that point, Saltalamacchia was one of baseball's prized young prospects. A 22-year-old stud catching prospect in the Atlanta Braves system.

The Texas Rangers had slugger Mark Teixeira, who would become a free agent in just over a year. The Rangers didn't intend to spend big bucks to keep him so they dealt him to the Braves, who were looking to add offense for the stretch run.

The Rangers sent Teixeira and pitcher Ron Mahay to the Braves and in exchange they basically received the building blocks for their current American League West dynasty. Shortstop Elvis Andrus, pitchers Neftali Feliz, and Matt Harrison, and Saltalamacchia.

We live in an era where prospects are expected to perform to expectations quickly. Every baseball team and fan wants their best young players to be Bryce Harper. "Patience" isn't always part of the equation.

Yet, it is paying off big time for the Red Sox right now. Theo bought low on Saltalamacchia, and the Red Sox are reaping the benefits now. Sometimes it pays to be patient. Theo Epstein wasn't perfect , but it looks like he pulled off an impressive deal back in July of 2010.